Diverticulitis (DI)

  Does anyone else have diverticulitis??  It's very frustrating to be eating healthy, exercising, and  losing weight when all of a sudden to have this attack of DI.

  It knocks me out with chills, fever and  pain.  But the worst is it changes what I can eat from the healthy whole grains to non-fiber foods.

  I'm using probiotics and other herbs for DI to get thru this current attack - it's the third one in four months.  It normally takes about 3 days to get over an attack.  Just wondered if anyone else lives with DI and and how they manage.

Barbara

Have you talked to your doctor?  If you're getting repeated, severe attacks it could be that you need more radical treatment than probiotics and herbs... antibiotics, pain-relief and you may even need to go to hospital.  Complications of diverticulitis can include peritonitis, abcesses, fistulas, intestinal obstructions.....  So I don't think you should live with it but rather get it seen to.

GI Jane,

  Thank you and I know you're right that I need to be seen.  We don't have med insurance right now, so I've been treating myself - but obviously, it's not working.  I'm going to a walk-in med ctr today and see about the antibiotics. 

  It's just frustrating to be eating healthy and then an attack comes on. It leaves me feeling unsure about what to eat on a regular basis to avoid attacks. 

  Thank you, Barbara

Yes, I often forget that national healthcare isn't universal.  (So lucky living in the UK)  This link to our NHS website is all about diverticulitis, causes, symptoms, prevention, treatment etc..... Home & OTC remedies are in there for mild cases.  But it just doesn't sound to me like something you take risks with, especially if it's happening this frequently and this severely.

  Thank you again, I agree three times so far since June - I think it's time for the antibiotics.   I prefer the natural approach, but it's not working and that's probably why it keeps coming back because I need the antibiotics.

Diverticulitis is an acute infection of the diverticuli (the small out-pouchings in the colon) and needs to be treated with antibiotic therapy. You are correct, as well, that you will need to remain on a Low Fiber/Low Residue diet until the infection resolves. Once it is properly resolved, you will need to transition back to a high fiber diet (>/= 35gms per day) to help prevent reoccurrance of the diverticulosis turning into diverticulitis.

Even though you do not have health insurrance, most ER's will not deny you treatment. At the very least, they will check you out and prescribe a round of ABT.

I have it.......I'm 21 (only about 10% of 21 and under have it)  and found out last year.....turns out mine is hereditary.  Since finding out I have dropped 56lbs and keep eating healthy and working out.  For me, it was an opportunity to change the way I was living and get healthier as well. 

If you keep working out and eating healthy, you shouldn't have too many problems. It's when you stop and start bad eating habits and not working out that it comes back. As soon as I feel the slightest pain I know its time to get back to routine and within days the pain is gone.

gddrdld is right though, once it's properly resolved having a high fiber diet is important.

best of luck :)

Thanks for the reinforcement and info - I did get in to a med express and got a scrip.

  I just hate anything that interferes with my progress when I was doing so well.  I really think I have this DI because I grew up eating so poorly - not scientific just think it was a factor.  At least I can eat brown rice and I do think the probiotics and alfalfa help. 

Actually, your suspicion is probably right on. Lots of research indicates poor diet does increase risk for diverticular disease as well as many other GI related problems. As a dietitian, I work very closely with a gastroenterologist, and he is always joking with me that "if more people ate a high fiber, whole foods diet and stayed away from all this processed food" than he'd be out of a job! :)

I just had surgery to repair a perforated colon as a result of diverticulitus. The amazing thing is that I did not know that I have diverticulitus, or the seriousness of it. I am pretty freaked out by it, but seem to be making a good recovery so far. I just turned 40 & am now worried that it will be a major factor in my life. I am extremeny active & want to continue to be. Having never had an attack before, can anyone explain to me what these attacks are like (other than the ones requiring an immediate ER visit)? I really have no clue as to what to look for. Any good ideas for diet coming out of this type of surgery (it has been just 1 week since I left the hospital)?

  I'm  really sorry to hear that you have DI - I truly hate this problem. It has changed my whole eating plan and my life. Mine isn't genetic but maybe yours is like miabel mentioned.  I think you should  have your doctor advise ASAP on your diet needs, esp right after surgery.  It's very important to get control of DI, as you know because it is so serious.

  I haven't had surgery, knock on wood, although, I have had serious flare-ups which sent me to a clinic for antibiotics.

  I'm still learning how to cope with DI and I'm extremely careful about what I eat because I do not want another flareup.  It's just too painful and scary.

  But my daily approach is to use probiotics for healthy internal bacteria and Aerobic Bulk Cleanse w/apple juice as a dietary fiber supplement.  Exercise is very important also. 

  Please get with your doctor for his advise and be careful.

Barbara,

Thanks for your response- it was nice to hear from you. Sorry so late in acknowledging. All seems to be going as planned with my recovery. I should be released from my doctor in the next couple of weeks or so. I will take your advice on the diet. It seems to be the most important part of fighting DI.

I wish you well with your health & hope you have a great holiday season-

Mike

  Mike, I was wondering how you were - glad to hear you are recovering.  It must have been really scary to  happen so suddenly.

  DI takes for me is a constant awareness of what I'm eating and/or any stomach pains to catch it before it goes further.

  Good luck and I wish you also a healthy and happy holiday.

  Barbara